Archaeologists discover evidence of prehistoric island settlers
1 In early April 2019, Dr Ceri Shipton and his colleagues from Australian National University became the first archaeologists to explore Obi, one of many tropical islands in Indonesia’s Maluku Utara province. The team’s discoveries suggest that the prehistoric people who lived on Obi were adept on both land and sea, hunting in the dense rainforest and foraging on the seashore.
2 The excavations were part of a project to learn more about how people first dispersed from mainland Asia into the prehistoric continent that once connected Australia and New Guinea. Obi would have offered the easiest migration route and acted as crucial ‘stepping stones’ on humans’ island-hopping voyages through this region millennia ago.
3 Just inland from the village of Kelo, Shipton and his colleagues found two caves containing prehistoric rock shelters. With the permission and help of the local people, they found numerous artefacts, including fragments of axes dating to about 14,000 years ago. The earliest axes were made using clam shells. Axes made from clam shells had also previously been found elsewhere in this region, including on the island of Gebe.
4 The oldest cultural layers provided a record dating back around 18,000 years. At this time, sea levels were about 120 metres lower, meaning Obi was a much larger island, encompassing what is today the separate island of Bisa.
5 Roughly 11,700 years ago, as the ice age ended, the climate became warmer and wetter. According to researchers, it is no coincidence that around this time the first axes made from stone rather than sea shells appear, likely in response to their heavy-duty use for clearing the increasingly dense rainforest.
6 Judging by the bones unearthed in the Kelo caves, people living there mainly hunted the Rothschild’s cuscus. Excavations also unearthed obsidian, which must have been brought from another island, and particular types of beads, similar to those found in southern Wallacea.
7 About 8,000 years ago, both shelters were abandoned. There is no evidence for use after this time until about 1,000 years ago, when they were re-occupied by people who owned pottery as well as items made of gold and silver. This final phase saw people involved in the historic trade in spices.
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text?
1. Archaeological research had taken place on Obi before Shipton’s arrival:
2. These were the first clam shell axes ever discovered in the region:
3. The size of Obi today is less than it was 18,000 years ago:
4. The climate change 11,700 years ago had a greater impact on Obi than other islands:
5. Researchers believe warmer weather led to a change in axe materials:
6. Shipton’s team were surprised by the Obi islanders’ hunting practices:
7. The Kelo shelters were occupied continuously until 1,000 years ago:
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY.
8. Found two containing prehistoric shelters.
9. Around 11,700 years ago, axes were made of .
10. Found of an animal as evidence of diet.
11. Revealed particular types of similar to those elsewhere.
12. Re-occupied by people who owned and gold/silver.
13. Occupants were involved in the trade in .
20 Useful Vocabulary (Prehistoric Settlers)
1. Prehistoric (Adjective)
Thuộc về thời tiền sử.
"Archaeologists discover evidence of prehistoric island settlers..."
2. Settler (Noun)
Người định cư (đến sinh sống ở một vùng đất mới).
"Archaeologists discover evidence of prehistoric island settlers..."
3. Adept (Adjective)
Tinh thông, thạo việc, giỏi giang.
"...the prehistoric people who lived on Obi were adept on both land and sea..."
4. Dense (Adjective)
Dày đặc, rậm rạp.
"...hunting in the dense rainforest..."
5. Forage (Verb)
Lục lọi, tìm kiếm thức ăn.
"...and foraging on the seashore."
6. Excavation (Noun)
Sự khai quật, hố khai quật.
"The excavations were part of a project to learn more about..."
7. Disperse (Verb)
Phân tán, tản ra các hướng.
"...how people first dispersed from mainland Asia into the prehistoric continent..."
8. Mainland (Noun)
Lục địa, đất liền.
"...how people first dispersed from mainland Asia..."
9. Migration (Noun)
Sự di cư.
"Obi would have offered the easiest migration route..."
10. Crucial (Adjective)
Cực kỳ quan trọng, thiết yếu.
"...and acted as crucial ‘stepping stones’ on humans’ island-hopping voyages..."
11. Voyage (Noun)
Chuyến hành trình dài (thường là bằng đường thủy hoặc không gian).
"...on humans’ island-hopping voyages through this region millennia ago."
12. Millennia (Noun)
Hàng thiên niên kỷ (số nhiều của millennium - 1000 năm).
"...through this region millennia ago."
13. Inland (Adverb/Adjective)
Đi sâu vào trong đất liền (cách xa bờ biển).
"Just inland from the village of Kelo..."
14. Artefact (Noun)
Đồ tạo tác (đồ vật do con người làm ra trong quá khứ, có giá trị khảo cổ).
"...they found numerous artefacts, including fragments of axes..."
15. Fragment (Noun)
Mảnh vỡ, mảnh tước.
"...including fragments of axes dating to about 14,000 years ago."
16. Encompass (Verb)
Bao gồm, bao quanh.
"...encompassing what is today the separate island of Bisa."
17. Coincidence (Noun)
Sự trùng hợp ngẫu nhiên.
"...it is no coincidence that around this time the first axes... appear..."
18. Heavy-duty (Adjective)
Bền bỉ, được thiết kế cho công việc nặng nhọc.
"...likely in response to their heavy-duty use for clearing the increasingly dense rainforest."
19. Obsidian (Noun)
Đá vỏ chai, đá thủy tinh núi lửa.
"Excavations also unearthed obsidian, which must have been brought from another island..."
20. Abandon (Verb)
Bỏ hoang, từ bỏ, rời đi.
"About 8,000 years ago, both shelters were abandoned."
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